The proposed ordinance, which will be up for preliminary approval tonight, would require a sign by the rooms reading: ''This establishment offers materials or entertainment having sexual content. Such materials are for adults only. If this or nudity would offend you, do not enter.''

The ordinance also would force owners to seal off the rooms with a curtain or door. Violators could be fined up to $500 and sentenced to 60 days in jail, Severs said.

Another section of the ordinance would reclassify as adult businesses any stores making 25 percent of their gross receipts from adult entertainment. Those stores would have to obtain special licenses to operate in the city.

The change from the 51 percent limit in the old ordinance to 25 percent would not affect existing stores, Severs said.

Also at the meeting at 6:30 p.m. in city hall, council members will discuss ways to make it easier and faster to obtain building permits. Several contractors have complained about red tape and long delays, Mayor Truman Scarborough said.

One proposal would set up a one-stop permitting office so contractors could obtain structural, water-retention, landscaping and tree permits at the same place.

Another proposal calls for hiring a development-permit administrator to oversee all permitting offices and speed up reviews of development plans.

''The situation is crying for some changes,'' he said. ''It's frustrating for developers when they are under deadlines and they get the runaround.''